The Taoiseach Enda Kenny said today that the leadership contest currently underway in the Labour Party following the resignation of Eamon Gilmore on Monday will not destabilise the coalition.

“There’ll be no difficulty insofar as stability of the government is concerned. This is very important for the country, for the economy of the country, for growth in jobs,” he said, adding, “That’s their business and we’ll let them at it.”

Mr Kenny was speaking on the plinth of Leinster House this morning where a large number of the Fine Gael parliamentary party had gathered to welcome their new deputy, Gabrielle McFadden.

Ms McFadden won the Longford-Westmeath by-election which was held in the aftermath of the death of her sister Nicky who died in March after a long battle with motor neurone disease.

The Taoiseach said, “It’s a privilege and an honour on behalf of the Fine Gael party and on behalf of the people of Longford-Westmeath to welcome Gabrielle McFadden having been successful in the by-election to replace her late, much-loved sister Nicky”.

Ms McFadden, outgoing mayor of Athlone, said, “I’m very honoured, but I’m very emotional. It’s a huge honour, and I will work my hardest to ensure the people of Longford-Westmeath are well represented and I’ll continue the good work Nicky did for so long”